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Abdulla Al Humaidi is a renowned Kuwaiti businessman, entrepreneur, and investments expert who currently serves as the executive vice-chairman of Kuwaiti European Holding (KEH) Group, which he also previously led as chief executive officer.
Abdulla Al Humadi founded KEH Group in 2008, and it is currently owned by himself and the wider Al Humaidi Family, which has business links with major cities including London, Cairo, Dubai, Dublin, and Hong Kong.
Abdulla Al Humaidi Education & Career
Abdulla Al Humaidi was born in January 1986 in Kuwait into the prominent Al Humaidi merchant family.
Abdulla Al Humaidi was primarily educated in the United Kingdom. He graduated with a master's in business administration (MBA) with distinction from the University of Leicester before studying medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland. It is his time working in the international medical field that Al Humaidi credits with enabling him to develop and fine-tune his important entrepreneurial skills.
It wasn't until after his medical studies that Abdulla Al Humaidi decided to pursue a career in business and finance. He qualified as an accountant while still living in Ireland before beginning his career as an analyst at HSBC in London. He also acted as the CFO of several companies, including Gulf Business Machines Corporation Group and Al-Ahlia Insurance Company (Kuwait).
Abdulla Al Humaidi Entrepreneurial Career
Given that he is a member of the Al Humaidi family, it's arguably only natural that Abdulla Al Humaidi eventually ended up following his forefathers' footsteps and going into business for himself.
In 2008, Al Humaidi founded KEH Group, which acts as the international holding company for the international assets of Al Humaidi and his wider family.
As the figurehead of the family, which has been working in the business field since the 1940s, Abdulla Al Humaidi is currently focusing on bringing a range of exciting investments and developments to life through KEH Group, which focuses on key sectors including financial services, leisure, and real estate.
The whole purpose of KEH Group was to serve as a link between Europe and the Middle East for Abdulla Al Humaidi and his family. The Group's investments are largely concentrated in the UK and Kuwait, but there are investments in other locations and there are constant considerations to expand. Thanks to the support of Al Humaidi and his successful merchant family, KEH Group is quickly growing as a force to be reckoned with.
The Group is most widely known for its ambitious vision for major entertainment and real estate developments. These include the 'London Resort', a US$3.6 billion megaresort due to open its doors in 2024, and several companies actively involved in real estate throughout the UK & Ireland.
Under the leadership of Abdulla Al Humaidi, KEH Group has grown rapidly since its founding. Al Humaidi has molded KEH Group and his entire entrepreneurial career on his ability to remain focused on the latest trends and stay ahead of competitors, making him a shining example of what it means to be a modern forward-thinking entrepreneur.
Since 2016, UK banker Humphrey Percy has led KEH Group as its CEO. Percy was appointed personally by Abdulla Al Humaidi, who still plays an active role in the Group's day-to-day activities.
Since Humphrey Percy's appointment, KEH Group's UK portfolio and profit margins have grown exponentially. Much of the credit for these trails back to a series of smart investments, including those into other operations overseen by Abdulla Al Humaidi such as Armila Capital Limited and London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH).
Abdulla Al Humaidi's Main Investments
KEH Group remains committed to working with and building companies that make a difference in their local areas.
This is very much a reflection of the values of Abdulla Al Humaidi, and these can be seen by looking at some of his and KEH Group's key investments and developments.
Upper Egypt's Aswan and Luxor on floating hotels that also operate as cruise ships.
Landmarque Property Group (Ireland)
Landmarque Property Group might not be one of Abdulla Al Humaidi's most famous investments, but it reflects his values. Landmarque is a real-estate developer in Dublin, Ireland where Al Humaidi was educated. It develops mixed-use property in Ireland and the UK.
Landmarque's current portfolio is worth more than €4.3 billion and includes assets spread out across Europe (the UK, Belgium, Germany, and France) and the Middle East.
This includes over €500 million spent on building homes within Dublin City, including 400 affordable homes for families on low incomes. Landmarque prides itself on investing in 'People and Places' and has partnered with local experts to create developments where people are happy to live, work, and play.
London Resort Holdings Company
London Resort Holdings Company (LRHC) is the company responsible for developing Al Humaidi's 'London Resort' which was mentioned earlier.
The London Resort is easily Al Humaidi's most famous and hotly-anticipated development. Reportedly costing over US$3.6 billion to build, it will be the UK's largest theme park and single-site employer when complete in 2024 and act as a rival to Disneyland, Paris.
"We are creating a first-class theme park. A destination that maximizes all the new, immersive, and interactive technologies and experiences in the world," says PY Gerbeau, chief executive of London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH).
Independent research says that the resort will generate over $50 billion for the UK economy over its first 25 years. It will also create more than 6,000 construction jobs and generate up to £200 million in taxes by 2038.
Construction is set to begin next year and will be completed in 2024 subject to regulatory review.
Ebbsfleet United Football Club
Ebbsfleet United Football Club (Ebbsfleet FC) isn't one of Abdulla Al Humaidi's typical investments in the sense that he built it himself. That said, Al Humaidi has spent a huge amount of time and money in turning around this once fledgling and near-bankrupt team and making it a staple of English professional football.
In May 2013, an agreement was reached between Abdulla Al Humaidi and the team's then-owner MyFootballClub to purchase the struggling football club and settle its debts. At the time of the takeover, Al Humaidi promised big things for the team - and it's safe to say that he delivered.
Since Al Humaidi's takeover, Ebbsfleet FC has been completely reformed. Several prominent managers and coaches have been appointed who have taken the team to victory against several rivals and to its league's playoffs. At one point, the team managed to bag nine wins in succession which marked a new record for Ebbsfleet FC.
The recent appointment of renowned German footballer Dennis Kutrieb as Ebbsfleet's coach has seen the team power through to victory on several occasions this season. His eyes are very much on promotion to the next tier up.
Aqueous Resort (Egypt)
Another one of Al Humaid's ambitious entertainment park projects is Aqueous Resort. Located in Egypt, it's a luxury water-themed development that he hopes will become a leader in the Red Sea region and help increase tourist numbers.
The plans for Al Humaidi's Aqueous Resort are huge. Spread out over 200,000 square meters, the resort includes several buildings that will help blend residential and commercial spaces with the natural beauty of the Red Sea region. The resort will also include a range of modern amenities plus a diverse range of living spaces interspersed with outdoor swimming and activity areas.
It was announced in February 2021 that phase one of Aqueous Resort's plans had been completed and that KEH Group under Al Humaidi's leadership is now working towards the completion of phase two.
Setting the Entrepreneurial Standard
While the paths of most entrepreneurs are often winding, complicated, and closed off from the public, some entrepreneurs like Abdulla Al Humaidi set better examples.
As we've explored above, it's easy to see how Dr. Al Humaidi has forged his own entrepreneurial path by focusing on knowledge and his education before kickstarting his professional career.
We can also see how the diversification of his company's investments and staying "on trend" has helped to launch KEH Group onto a path of continual growth where it's making a real difference to the people and communities that it touches.
